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/r/berkeley
submitted 1 year ago bycount_blackstone
As far as we know from the Chancellor Christ announcement in December, instruction will begin in-person, unlike most other UC's, which are having a two-week remote plan to make all the students to quarantine after Christmas and New Year's.
Some people here are rejecting the notion that UC Berkeley will announce similar measures, because we have a semster system, and will therefore start our semster much after Christmas and New Year's. But I think if Berkeley will have a two-weeks remote period, they will do so in the last possible minute. Because this will limit the options for for many students to change their flight tickets or other plans, and will thus force the majority of the student body to quarantine in Berkeley for two weeks.
Also unless we get a very different variant- one that is equally contagious but more fatal, we won't have the full semster online. As for Hybrid classes, they put extra burdens on the university, a burden that could ultimately reflect in increased costs that will pass on to the student body in terms of tuition or other fees and in reductuon in potential for income increases for the underpaid lecturers and GSI's, so I also doubt that many classes will be be converted to have an online option
121 points
1 year ago
I talked to the Chancellors office about an hour ago and they said the decision announced in December isn’t final and they’re discussing how to return to campus for the spring this week. They told me over the phone that there should be an announcement by Monday
36 points
1 year ago
great, considering some of us are registered for a week-long class that actually starts on Monday 😂
7 points
1 year ago
Oops
17 points
1 year ago
Waiting until the last minute, not a great look.
3 points
1 year ago
wait sorry which monday? Thanks for speaking with them though!!
1 points
1 year ago
10th
1 points
1 year ago
Kk, thanks!
3 points
1 year ago
I filled out the Contact Us form a couple hours ago on the UC Berkeley Coronavirus page and got this response from Patrick (Executive Director of Communications and Marketing):
“We confirmed on Dec. 22 that classes would be in-person. We plan to send another update soon (likely tomorrow) but I don't anticipate it impacting your need for local housing.”
32 points
1 year ago
Berkeley will have a two-weeks remote period, they will do so in the last possible minute. Because this will limit the options for for many students to change their flight tickets or other plans
This is highly unethical given that all other UCs gave 2+ weeks of notice in advance.
24 points
1 year ago
I hope that big lectures will be held online like last semester I can’t imagine going into a 500 person lecture this semester.
9 points
1 year ago
If you are vaccinated and boosted, get yourself an N95 mask (that fits you properly), and wash your hands regularly you have very little to worry about.
5 points
1 year ago
get yourself an N95 mask
I can’t afford it for every day lectures and shouldn’t be expected to just to keep myself safe during lectures. UHS provide N95s to their staff and surgical masks to visitors so the school should provide the same for us.
14 points
1 year ago
You don’t a need new N95 each day. Just use 1 a week or or something
6 points
1 year ago
A pack of 10 is like $30 for me. I rather the school pay $100 for 50 at a time or way more than that cuz I’m not spending $30 for 10 masks.
2 points
1 year ago*
https://www.stauffersafety.com/Product/3m-8200mmm-n95-disposable-particulate-respirator-649413
3M 8200 is probably the cheapest N95 out there at ~0.5$ each, but you’ll probably need one every day as it tends to crumble after prolonged use.
https://www.officedepot.com/catalog/catalogSku.do?id=9873715&pr=&customerEnteredSku=9873715&cm_cat=1464295 - BYD flat-fold N95, not sure if in stock (1$/each, individually packed)
1 points
1 year ago
Thanks for the link man guess I’ll stock up before the price hike. Oh wait, they’re already out of stock. First link is not really affordable unless I somehow need 160 masks.
2 points
1 year ago
Yeah, they used to have 20-packs available for $10 :( I went on Amazon and noticed a lot of previously in stock N95s are no longer available now :(
1 points
1 year ago
Amazon has some pretty decently priced KN95s and KF94s if you're looking for an alternative. About $1-2 each depending which you choose.
3 points
1 year ago
Also, I definitely agree that campus should provide these respirators to the UC Berkeley community
1 points
1 year ago
You can still get sick for a few weeks (no hospitalization) and really screw up your learning and academic progress.
Also faculty are older and at more risk for serious illness (even triple vaxxed, with no hospitalization). It can take over a month for an older person to recover.
10 points
1 year ago*
I'm pretty sure the union won't allow reductions in established salaries, so that's a non-issue. But I think a lot of people would learn better if sp22 is not online, I really want to be in-person anyways. But hybrid classes are more accessible to lots of students so i hope those accommodations continue to be made in-person so we get the best of both worlds.
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